[AT] Digital Archiving

[Larry Goss]

The maxim is: If it has been stored digitally, it hasn't been archived.

That used to be true, and if you consider standard archiving techniques, it still is.  But when you consider the possibility of distributed storage of multiple copies with purposeful media migration as a method of archiving, then other techniques become possible and the "dangers" of electronic storage are minimized.

This is not an easy paradigm shift for people to accept, and it opens up all sorts of other questions that we don't want to have to deal with.  For instance, the original document is going to eventually turn to dust regardless of how you protect it and preserve it.  When that inevitable deterioration happens, does that mean that you have to destroy all the digital copies as though the original had never existed?  Archive organizations and libraries are having a difficult time answering that question.  All you have to do is look at the expense and efforts that are being expended by Trinity College in Dublin to preserve and protect The Book of Kells or by the various libraries that have original copies of Gutenberg Bibles to see the extent organizations will go to.  But for 20 bucks I purchased a CD that contains the whole Book of Kells plus videos showing its history and the technology of illuminated manuscripts.  Would that digital copy be subject to recall if the original Book of Kells became non-existent for whatever reason?

To bring this discussion back to tractors, is it acceptable to generate a restored tractor?  What percentage of original parts do you have to have before you have to agree that is no longer the same tractor?

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: The Allen Family <steveallen855 at centurytel.net>
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:45
Subject: Re: [AT] Digital Archiving
To: D <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>

> Question:
> 
> What happens to all these fine digital records when the power 
> goes out? 
>   ANY electronic medium is too ephemeral for preservation 
> of truly 
> important information. 
> 
> Just something to keep in mind. 
> 
> Steve Allen
> Two old JDs near Rolla, MO
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